All of your lip filler & lip injection questions answered!
Lip fillers are at the top of everyone’s list these days and here at The Luxe Room, we are HERE for it. And for you. So, if you’re thinking about enhancing your pout, we’ve put together a list of need-to-knows and FAQs to help you decide if lip fillers are right for you.
What is Lip Filler?
Lip filler, aka lip injections or lip augmentation, is a procedure that enhances lips, adds volume to, and rejuvenates lips using injectable filler. Sometimes it can also be used for hydration rather than really augmenting the lips. It can really be much more versatile than most people think!
What can Lip Fillers do?
Lip injections are the perfect way to add natural-looking volume, fullness, shape and improved symmetry to lips.
Whether you want to keep it subtle or go full-on Kylie Jenner with it, the right filler (and skilled injector) can customize your treatment to provide you with the youthful, pillowy pout you’ve been dreaming about.
And let’s face it, if you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably been thinking about lip filler for a looooonnnng time.
What is lip filler made of?
The most common lip fillers—such as the Juvederm and Restylane brands—are made from hyaluronic acid, a holy grail skin care ingredient that’s famous for its youth-preserving benefits.
Naturally produced in the body, hyaluronic acid (HA) helps skin retain water, which helps keep skin plump and hydrated, making it a natural choice for lip fillers.
Other big benefits of HA-based lip fillers include the control they provide over lip shape and volume, they’re fairly long-lasting, unlikely to cause any allergic reactions, they’re easily dissolvable, and can be administered gradually—which gives us the freedom to slowly build and create the perfect pout based on your lip shape and desired results.
Note: Most lip filler products contain lidocaine to help numb your lips during the injection process and to keep you comfortable afterwards, so make sure to bring up any allergies prior to getting your lips treated.
What lip filler brands do we use?
There are a lot of options when it comes to lip filler brands. There are two main brands: Juvederm (by Allergan) and Restylane (by Galderma). In each brand, there are a few options that we choose from, including:
- Restylane Kysse (did you know that at The Luxe Room we do more Restylane Kysse than any other clinic in Denver, Boulder, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Salt Lake City, or any other major cities in the midwest region?? Believe us when we say, you’re in good hands with TLR)
- Restylane Refyne
- Restylane Defyne
- Restylane Classic/Restylane-L
- Juvederm Ultra
- Juvederm Ultra Plus
- Juvederm Volbella
- Juvederm Vollure
We determine what product(s) to use based on your needs and desired results and pre-existing lip anatomy.
Are all lip fillers the same?
Every lip filler varies a bit. Each one has a slightly different density or thickness, which provides different benefits for different lips. Some are softer and lighter, like Juvederm Volbella or Restylane Refyne, which is great for giving younger lips a more hydrated look.
And some are firmer initially or ‘more juicy’, like Restylane Defyne or Juvederm Ultra Plus, which is perfect for plumping up lips that really need a pout! Then there are some allow us to correct asymmetries better than others, while some are more so used just to softly improve hydration only.
Set up a consultation with us and we can figure out what approach and product will be the best fit for you.
How long do lip injections last?
Let’s talk about lasting power. When it comes to lip filler, results vary, but your gorgeous new pout will probably last somewhere between 9-12 months. Every body breaks down lip filler at different rates, and some lip fillers are just able to last longer than others.
Remember, if a lip filler is meant to last 9-12 months, you may only have half the amount left at 6 months, therefore you may want to think about rebooking around 6-9 months.
Typically in my practice, I see patients back around 6-9 months after their first treatment, then after a few sessions, we can space them out to 9-12 months.
This is just a general range, but it’s important to note that your results can fade faster or *cross your fingers* last longer depending on things like your body’s amount of hyaluronidase (natural enzyme that breaks down HA in your body), lifestyle, and age.
How much does lip filler cost?
For our pricing here at The Luxe Room, you can find an updated pricelist HERE.
Personally, we like to be priced based on the area treated rather than the brand of filler we use. In our experience, this ensures that everyone gets the most gorgeous results possible, using the filler that is best suited to their individual goals and needs. And in the end, that means you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck!
Do I need to dissolve existing filler before getting your lips done again?
If your lip injections need a refresh (or you just want more) there is no need to do anything before receiving filler. However if your lips have been poorly injected, your filler is migrating or you’re experiencing persistent bumps, we might suggest dissolving any existing filler to correct any issues before reinjecting them.
How do I prepare for a lip filler procedure?
For maximum wow and minimum oww, here are a few tips to help you prep for your lip filler procedure.
2 Weeks Before Lip Filler
- We recommend not getting lip filler if you’ve had dental work or any vaccines 2 weeks before or after your planned procedure. If this timeline doesn’t work, call to reschedule your appointment!
- Plan on having swelling for 48-72 hours post treatment, and bruising for 4-7 days on average. So make sure your plans after treatment work with this timeline!
1 Week Before Lip Filler
- Avoid taking any kind of blood thinning over-the-counter medication including aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, fish oil, Aleve, etc (unless instructed by a medical professional to take these medications!).
- Say no to St. John’s Wort, Gingko biloba, primrose oil, garlic, ginseng, and Vitamin E.
- These steps avoid excessive bruising!
2 Days Before Lip Filler
- Stop using topical skincare products including Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinol, Retinoids and Glycolic Acid (basically any “anti-aging” products) around the lip area.
- Don’t wax, bleach, tweeze, or apply hair removal cream near or on the area surrounding your lips.
- Consider taking Arnica. Not mandatory, but it can help reduce bruising.
- If you haven’t done these steps, no biggie, but they are helpful recommendations!
24 Hours Before Lip Filler
- We hate to be a buzzkill, but we recommend that you avoid drinking alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before your appointment to avoid bruising and bleeding.
The Day Of Your Treatment
- Skip the makeup and show up to your appointment with a clean, freshly-washed face.
What does recovery/downtime look like?
Any pain or discomfort you might feel should go away within 12 to 24 hours. Swelling, on the other hand, lasts a little longer.
Be prepared for lips to look extra luscious (a recent pole we did found that 73% of our patients actually LOVE the swelling phase! Sheesh!) for at least 48 to 72 hours. And remember, it can take up to a week for the full swelling to go down, so don’t freak out. Your lips will settle into a perfectly plump, full and natural-looking state within about a week.
That being said, if you’re planning on getting your lips done before a big event, wedding or vacation make sure to schedule your Luxe Room appointment at least one month before the big debut.
Will I bruise after receiving lip injections?
If you skip things like fish oil, ibuprofen and alcohol before the procedure, bruising is usually minimal. But if you’re prone to bruising, or slip up and have a glass of rosé anyway you might see some minor bruising around injection areas.
If bruising does occur, try taking some Arnica and icing your lips to speed up recovery time. Rule of thumb: ice for 24-48 hours, then use heat packs for a 3 days to help with bruising/healing. And avoid the urge to touch your lips and/or cover up any bruises with concealer, foundation or makeup for 24 hours, otherwise you significantly increase the risk of an infection.
Do lip injections hurt?
Many of the lip fillers we use are formulated with lidocaine (a strong numbing agent) already in the syringe. And of course, we will numb your lips with a strong numbing gel prior to treating them (we get the strong stuff!), which will help alleviate pain and make your appointment as comfortable as possible. There is also the option to do injectable numbing (dental block or regional block) to really numb the lips, but this generally not necessary!
Obviously, everyone’s perception of pain varies, but in all honesty, the majority of people that come in for lip injections tell me their procedure was so much easier and more comfortable than they thought it would be!
What are the risks?
Like all cosmetic procedures, lip fillers pose a few risks including bruising, swelling, and pain at the injection site, cold sore reactivation, discoloration or tenderness, migration, asymmetry or in very rare cases, vessel occlusion.
Receiving your lip filler from a qualified injector (we have RN’s, NP’s, & PA’s at TLR), and following pre- and post-treatment instructions will help you minimize risks!
Can you get lip fillers while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Most places, including us, won’t risk treating pregnant or breastfeeding women. We put your health and well-being first, and we just don’t know if lip filler has the potential to harm soon-to-be moms or their babies.
What questions should I ask my before getting lip filler?
If there is one thing that everyone should ask their provider, it’s if they are an experienced, licensed, & trained injector. The difference between achieving the lips of your dreams and dealing with a disaster relies on receiving your lip filler from someone who is trained, experienced and has the expertise they need to give you the results you want, safely.
And don’t be afraid to ask anything. We suggest setting up a consultation to ask any question you might have, including:
- What type/brand of lip filler will work best for me?
- What medications can I take while I recover?
- Is a lip flip a better option for me (our answer is generally ‘no’ as lip flips can be a bit underwhelming!)?
- What’s the complete list of risks and complications?
- How often do I need to get lip filler in order to maintain fullness and volume?
- What is the aftercare?
How do I start the process?
Start by setting up a personalized consultation and appointment at The Luxe Room. Usually patients just book the actual treatment, as we ALWAYS will do the consultation before actually treating you. When you come in, you will meet with an experienced medical professional to discuss your options and the best lip filler for you based on aesthetic goals and specific concerns.
Ready to get those luscious lips? Click HERE to book your lip filler appointment today.
All in all, the release of Restylane Kysse™ by Galderma has been a game-changer. Why? Beautiful, natural results, less swelling, and made specifically for injecting in the lips, you can bet we’re ready for this golden nugget to be waiting for you in our clinic!
Let’s Chat…
No matter what your concern or want is (within reason!), I’d love to help you and work out a plan to help you feel better about it. Book in for a complimentary consultation and let’s chat!
